The position of Advisor, North Pacific is assigned in the Office of the Director General within the Pacific Department (PARD), which is responsible for maintaining client relations, delivering ADB assistance to countries in the Pacific region, and coordinating with development partners. You will maximize the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of ADB operations throughout the Pacific region. The Advisor, North Pacific reports to Director General (DG), PARD and will supervise international, national, and administrative staff. You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

Your Role

As an Advisor, North Pacific, you will be responsible for client relationships and delivery of policy dialogues and an integrated suite of ADB sovereign and nonsovereign solutions to the three developing member countries (DMCs) in the North Pacific, i.e., the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). You will lead the Country Management Team (CMTs) for the three countries, and provide staffing and operations oversight for the country offices in the three countries, i.e., FSM Pacific Country Office (FSM PCO), Palau Pacific Country Office (PAL PCO), and RMI Pacific Country Office (RMI PCO).

You will:

Country Engagement and Business Development

• Lead and guide ADB-wide efforts to develop a deep understanding of the North Pacific’s development needs, particularly overseeing the conduct of country diagnostics on country risk, and advise on political, economic, and market dynamics affecting operations.
• Lead in advocating, establishing, implementing, communicating and tailoring ADB’s strategic directions and sector and thematic priorities in the relevant DMCs.
• Contribute to the implementation, monitoring, and update of the Pacific Approach, in line with Strategy 2030, ADB-wide operational plans, sector frameworks and roadmaps, and thematic priorities, while applying differentiated approach to respond to client demand and country context.
• Develop and manage ADB’s working relationship with the government, the private sector, development partners, civil society, media, and other stakeholders in the countries.
• Lead or support in managing private sector clients relationships and business development efforts by promoting ADB products to potential public and private sector clients operating in the countries and in facilitating DMC demand for high-impact solutions from ADB, including in climate change and other priority areas.
• Support relevant country actions and programs under the regional cooperation and integration (RCI) and trade initiatives.
• Ensure that ADB’s visibility and reputation are developed in line with the Pacific Approach and corporate priorities by promoting ADB as a development partner of choice, as a knowledge solution provider, and fostering greater understanding of ADB, its mission, and operations. Lead the development and oversee implementation of the country knowledge program.

Delivery of Operations

• Oversee the development of sovereign project concepts and advise on project preparation and delivery, in line with ADB’s strategic priorities and the country contexts.
• Monitor portfolio performance, lead sovereign portfolio reviews to ensure optimal project performance, and monitor client satisfaction with the delivery of ADB services. Work with client and solutions teams to proactively resolve portfolio performance issues and provide timely and effective implementation support, and implement measures to improve delivery, productivity and efficiency.
• Oversee private sector development activities, ensuring that they are adequately incorporated in country programs and sector roadmaps and upstream activities lead to tangible private sector midstream and downstream outcomes.
• Guide the origination priorities for nonsovereign and advisory operations, with the support of the regional private sector development head and in consultation with relevant solutions departments.
• As a member of a regional management team, participate in the programming and staffing discussions. Ensure adequate resident mission support to project processing and administration.

Country Team Leadership

• Lead and motivate the Country Management Teams (CMT) focusing on development impact, strong cross-sector coordination and problem solving, client orientation, and take responsibility for achieving and communicating these outcomes with all operational staff contributing to ADB’s work in the country.
• Advise on the staffing of the CMTs; partner with regional sector, thematic, private sector, and advisory managers to ensure adequate staff presence in the field; and coordinate logistics and administrative matters with relevant departments, including for outposted staff located in the PCOs.
• Ensure that the knowledge that the CMTs generate is effectively curated, disseminated and stored.
• Responsible for the overall management of the FSM PCO, PAL PCO and RMI PCO, including staff development, staff well-being, budget, and other personnel and resources-related matters in coordination with relevant HQ staff and partners in country.
• Manage the CMTs and individuals, including outposted staff, with emphasis on a team-based approach and PCO-HQ collaboration, providing direction and regular feedback on performance; develop strong relations with regional directors and focals from solutions and operations services departments.
• Perform any other assignments as discussed and agreed with the Director General, PARD.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s degree or equivalent. University degree in related fields combined with at least 10 years of specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• At least 15 years of substantive experience including leadership roles; including international experience working in several countries.
• Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, advocacy, client orientation, people management, and communications skills.
• Strong knowledge of the ADB system, preferably including prior resident mission experiences, and exposure to the full suite of ADB solutions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for IS7.